Depachika, the basement floor of department stores in Japan, is where some of the best food in the land can be had and at fairly reasonable prices. These food courts are difficult to beat as they are a mix of the best of the best shinise stores as well as ... read more

At Setsubun, people in Japan are thinking eho-maki sushi rolls, grilled sardine and roasted soybeans to prevent misfortune and increase happiness. No one thinks of wagashi. Sentaro, a shinise confectionery in Kyoto, made their own unique and tasty Setsubun demon theme roll, but you don't get sushi from a confectionery, ... read more

Meet the ‘Demon Roll’ sushi for the day before spring -- Kyoto-style. This makizushi is a very original, fascinating and extremely beautiful variation of the eho-maki (lucky direction roll) makizushi that is eaten by custom in Japan on Setsubun, February 3rd, the day before spring begins. Setsubun has some wonderful ... read more

A wagashi confection that was created in 1699 by Toraya is a beautiful and unmistakable expression of a mid-winter plum blossom. It is called Shimokobai 霜紅梅, or red plum blossom with frost. This confection, created centuries ago, expresses something that I can only clearly recall seeing once: fruit blossoms in ... read more

This is the Year of the Tiger and I got my tiger themed new year namagashi from Toraya again, same as last year. It is called Sachi Tora (幸とら), or Happy Tiger. Like last year's ox, this delightful design is quite abstract and uses cinnamon to create both flavor and ... read more